Printed instructions with California 540 says don't attach W-2 while on line help says to do so. One of these needs to be corrected.

[MichaelDC]

There are certain instances when you must attach copies of your W2s.

If you see the W-2 listed on the "Wage and Tax Statement" within the CA 540 form, this fulfills the reporting requirement and there is no need to attach the W-2 copies. Attaching copies in this instance is not advised by the Franchise Tax Board as it could slow down the processing of your return.

If you have additional questions or details regarding this, please feel free to post in the comments for further clarification.

[andijackson]

i'm not understanding where to look to see if the W-2 is listed within the CA 540 form and how is it shown....please be more specific. My instructions say not to include it but i dont see where it is included in my return (other than declaring state wages from the w-2 form on line 12 and the tax withheld on line 71).  Thanks for any info on clearing up whether I need to attach the w2 or not.

[TerryA]

As noted byTTMichaelDC above, if the Calif "Wage and Tax Statement" prints out with your Calif return, don't attach any W-2 that is listed there. If it does not print out at all, then attach all W-2s - there are conditions where that is the case and doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your return.

[spenny1]

if attaching w2s, where exactly? on the 1040 it is marked where to staple them, but unclear where to staple on the 540, top left? should the w2s, 540, supporting docs, and federal return all be stapled together?

[froggy47]

BTW filing instructions on my CA returns specify attach w2's while CA offical instructions say do not. So which is it? Buggy filing instructions guys?

[WendyN2]

It depends on when the instructions you are referring to (looking at) were published. The program would have the most up to date information. In addition, it can never hurt to attach copies of the W2s - but it can hurt if you are supposed to and you do not. 

[froggy47]

Hi,

It's the current ver. of 2020 with all updates. My 2019 & prior always did it correctly for CA. Some coder goofed.

[JohnW152]

The current version of the 2020 Instructions for Form 540, under Filing Your Tax Return, specifies to:

Attach all the Form(s) W-2 and W-2G you received to the lower front of your tax return.